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Great Lakes Bay Health Centers in Saginaw is receiving over $1.6 million to address maternal health concerns in Michigan.
The funds are part of nearly $5 million awarded to Michigan Hospitals and $65 million awarded nationally as part of the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. The funds will go towards supporting health centers in medically underserved and rural communities to improve maternal health.
“Nationally there are these unacceptable rates of disparities when it comes to health outcomes for pregnant women,” said Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Officials say our country’s maternal mortality rate is the highest of any developed nation in the world, and more than double the rate of peer countries.
“Black and indigenous women die at two to three times the rate of white women from pregnancy related causes, or the first year after birth,” said Johnson. “We have much work to do to improve those outcomes, and part of our priority here at HRSA is to do everything we can both in clinics as well as in the community where people live and face a whole host of challenges when it comes to making sure they can access prenatal care,”
According to a press release, health centers will use this funding to develop patient-centered models of care delivery that address the clinical and health-related social needs of their patients at highest risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Innovative approaches supported by this funding include leveraging health technology to reach rural patients, and providing culturally aware mental and behavioral health care for pregnant women and their families.
“Every Michigander should have access to quality, affordable health care. Our country’s maternal mortality rates are unacceptable, and it’s unconscionable that African American women are more likely to suffer complications and even death,” said Senator Gary Peters. “These investments will help address these disparities and improve health outcomes for moms and babies in our state, including in underserved communities.”
Great Lakes Bay Health centers will receive $1.6 million along with $1 million going to Cherry Street Services in Grand Rapids and $2 million to Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network in Pontiac.
Officials say the funds will help ensure healthier pregnancy and postpartum outcomes for all and help address health disparities among women of color and women in rural and medically underserved areas.
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